Coastguard called to reports of unattended dinghy floating off the beach in Whitburn

Rescue teams were called to a beach in Whitburn after a member of the public reported that there was an unattended toy dinghy floating off the shore.
Jacky's Beach lies between Whitburn Bay at Seaburn and The Wherry, near Marsden. (Photo by David Allan)Jacky's Beach lies between Whitburn Bay at Seaburn and The Wherry, near Marsden. (Photo by David Allan)
Jacky's Beach lies between Whitburn Bay at Seaburn and The Wherry, near Marsden. (Photo by David Allan)

Sunderland Coastguard team and South Shields Volunteer Life brigade were called to Jackie's Beach in Whitburn at 12.05pm yesterday, July 8 following a report from a member of the public that there was an unattended toy dinghy floating off the beach.

Rescue teams arrived at the scene as the dinghy was being retrieved by two sea swimmers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The swimmers informed the coastguards that they were using the dinghy to hold their belongings and dry clothes rather than leave them unattended on the beach.

Read More
12 pictures of fans at Stack as England beat Denmark to reach the Euros 2020 fin...

Coastguard rescue officers gave the swimmers safety advice before leaving the beach.

A Sunderland Coastguard team spokesperson said: “Upon speaking with the swimmers it became clear they were simply using the dinghy to hold their belongings and dry clothes rather than leave them unattended on the beach. Safety advice was offered and all parties left the beach.

“This was fortunately a false alarm but the caller did exactly the right thing by contacting us. This could quite easily have been something more untoward.”

Support our journalism and subscribe to this website to enjoy unlimited access to news, sport, retro, daily puzzles and more online. With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click ‘Subscribe’ in the menu to find out more and sign up.